[Mesorah] "shimcha" and similar words

[Michael Hamm]

Shavua tov!

In the word "shimcha" (your name), the mem does not have a dagesh,
unlike similar words like "im'cha" (with you), "it'cha" (with you),
"shel'cha" (yours), "lib'cha" (your heart).  Why?  And, since it
doesn't have a dagesh, the sh'va is nach; why, then, does the chaf not
have a dagesh kal?

Michael Hamm
AM, Math, Wash. U. St. Louis
msh210 at gmail.com <-- Note new address!
http://www.math.wustl.edu/~msh210/